Bellflower : Trash Rates to Rise as City Votes Collection Contract

The City Council has awarded a 10-year trash collection franchise to the city’s longtime hauler that increases rates for residents and commercial customers up to 30%.

In a 3-2 vote with Councilmen Bob Stone and Bill Pendleton dissenting, the council awarded the contract Monday to Downey-based Calsan/Calbin Inc. Critics maintained that the city could get a better deal if it sought bids from other trash haulers. Stone argued that a 10-year contract was too long.

The 30% rate increase will be staggered over three years, with residents and commercial customers paying 6.85% more the first year, 9% the second year and 11.01% the third year.

Calsan rates currently are $9.05 a month for residents and $49.98 for commercial customers. The increases will appear on September bills. The company has collected the city’s trash for 35 years. The city estimates the contract is worth $60 million over the 10-year period.

The contract will bring the city into compliance with a state law mandating a 25% reduction in the amount of trash taken to landfills by 1995. Calsan has agreed to pay up to $10,000 a day in fines if the city fails to comply with the law.

Calsan will use a material recovery facility to separate recyclable materials from other refuse. New hauling equipment or special barrels for customers will not be required.